Berne
Manuscrit, non publié à l’époque. Seul le prononcé fait foi. Les notes de travail ont été retirées.
Discours prononcé en anglais. Texte original, non traduit.
Dear Ambassador Maeda
Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen,
One hundred and fifty years ago Japan and Switzerland took up diplomatic relations.
That makes it sound easy, but the road was not exactly smooth in the beginning.
On 27 April 1863 the Federal Council’s Mission to Japan, led by Aimé Humbert arrived in Yokohama. It was an unsettled period in Japan and their reception by representatives of the shogunate was delayed.
Not just a little bit, but by almost a year!
There was no need for a precision timepiece from Japan or Switzerland to measure the amount of time they waited.
Finally, at the beginning of February 1864, negotiations began at last.
And they were completed in just a few days.
Switzerland was the first land-locked country with which Japan took up relations.
What is interesting – particularly from a culture minister’s perspective – is what the head of the Swiss delegation and his secretary did during the time they were waiting. They did not simply sit around, but instead used the time to study Japanese culture and society.
After returning from Japan, Aimé Humbert, the head of the delegation, published a book in 1870 entitled ‘Le Japon illustré’. The book contained numerous illustrations of Edo shortly before the Meiji restoration, which is still valued by researchers today. It marked the beginning of Switzerland’s studies of Japan.
It simply shows that the Swiss are reluctant to remain idle – which is something they still have in common with the skilled and hard-working Japanese today.
Above all, it shows the importance of culture and mutual understanding.
And that cultural curiosity is a form of respect.
In an age of globalisation and vast flows of trade, that is even truer today.
The Japanese fondness for literary icons like ‘Heidi’ is remarkable.
The fact that the Japanese cartoon series, ‘Heidi – Girl of the Alps’, was equally popular in Switzerland shows the affinity between us.
Because we share a strong cultural basis – despite all our differences, whether in terms of size or history.
Only those who know each other well are able to appreciate all the possible opportunities for closer cooperation.
That’s why I believe it is important that this anniversary year is not only seen as a time to look back – but also as a time to look ahead to a common future.
And this future is very promising.
Our economic and cultural relations have continually flourished over the years – despite occasionally difficult circumstances.
While the conclusion of the Swiss-Japanese free trade and partnership agreement at the beginning of 2009 marked a highpoint of our relations, I am convinced that is only for the time being – because the best times are yet to come.
Thank you.